R&R Bart gets an "F"

[cinco]

During the initial airing, the USA was completely in love with Bart (Bartmania), so this episode (initially the third of season 2) was favored as the season-opener.

Good episode, very realistic characterization, Bart actually saying "cowabunga", Sideshow Bob standing in the crowd singing along with other season 1-favorites (?) as cowboy Bob. (the Call of the Simpsons)
But what happened with Bart's shirt in this one? It looks so pale.
The overall animation-quality in this one is great though.
Look at these shadows.



And also notice the effect they use when Bart is watching out of his window at the stars. Can't show a picture of that, you have to see it in motion.

In a way, a lot of elements from Bart the Genius reappear.
eg. Dr Pryor, the coloring-style and figurants in Bart's daydream, the schoolgrafitti...



Also interesting: the great Bart-Martin interaction.
These two characters are combined way too little throughout the series.
In this episode, they prove how funny they are together as two opposites, each trying to become the other one.

Last question: Was the voice of Milhouse done by somebody else in this episode?
Listen to him saying that "milk out of his nose"-bit. Sounds totally different from what we are used to.

[Kayasith]

5/5. One of my favorite episodes, and easily a classic, man, what a character Bart was, I am still amazed how good the quality of the animation is, not as clean as HD, but very well animated, especially during the part when the whole town was out in the snow, singing winter wonderland.... And Bart of course, was really characterised well in this episode, I still liked the interaction Bart had with Martin, overall, this episode is easily a solid A, one of the greatest Bart episodes ever made.

[Dehumanizer]

Fantastic episode, one of the episodes that is in my inner-circle of episodes, meaning I watch them on a regular basis. Another reason why season two is one of the very top seasons ever. As mentioned, the characterization is great, and the interaction between Martin & Bart is great stuff. 5/5 rating definitely!

[Richard Nixon]

I mentioned Bart Gets An F several times during my review of Bart Sells His Soul, all because of Bart's personality. You see two sides to him in this episode: his normal, mischevious, 'underachiever and proud of it' side, and when he actually cares for himself, when he actually seeks a better future for himself. Okay, so he's pulling pranks every minute like he was in the first act of 'Soul', but the way he acts to Martin in the opening scenes, which is basically explained by Krabbapel's opening line 'Bart, no more interruptions during Martin's book report'. Moreover, the way he ignores Krabappel during his detention is what we're used seeing from him. A great moment stems from that aswell. However, just like in Soul, he changes his attitude about halfway through the first act.

But as always, he's just too dumb.

Then, after a scene on the school bus where you feel like punching, stabbing, shooting, and inflicting all kinds of merciless torture on Sherri and Terri, we see the first of Bart's bad excuses to get out of a test. You realise he's not the only one who's dumb. Only Lisa and maybe Krabappel know he's faking it. Then he calls Milhouse, who gives him all his answers. Cue the best joke of the episode, 'This is even worse then Milhouse's test', although admittedly there aren't too many laugh-out-loud moments to be had in this episode. However, that's the case with all the episodes from the first 2 seasons. Then, we see the return of the ever-popular Dr. Pryor(who actually sounds more like Mr Burns does normally than Burns himself in this episode) whos coins the phrase 'underachiever and proud of it'. We hear several of Bart's awful test scores, including a 12, and Bart gets embarrased and admits he is dumb. The conviction we see here is only similar to that of Bart Sells His Soul. Then Homer ruins the moment with 'And if you don't, at least you'll be bigger than the other kids'. It's a great gag.

Then onto act 2, my favourite act of this episode. Bart tries to get help from people. Firstly, he wisely chooses Otto, who reveals he was also held back in the 4th grade. He hasn't come a long way, since he thinks his job as a school bus driver is enough to inspire Bart(great gag). Then, he sees Martin, and makes a deal with him: Martin helps Bart pass the test and Bart helps Martin become popular. Martin does become popular but doesn't help Bart pass. No complaints about that. It's what any newly-popular nerd would do in the position(I presume ). Bart does not see this happening, again sort of highlighting his stupidity. Like in Soul, he chooses the last resort and prays to God, who apart from here you never think he believes in him. This actbreak,however, is my first issue with this episode. Praying never works. I could pray for a blizzard any time, there would never be a one. And besides, my school never closes no matter how much snow there is .

But seriously, it is sort of outlandish. You can relate to praying before at test, but you'd never get the miracle you want.

To Act 3. Marge wakes up Bart and reveals there's been a blizzard. Bart forgets what he prayed for that night, and reverts to his average self for the last time in this episode. Bill and Marty announce that all schools are closed, and Bart gets ready for an awesome day. Then Lisa, who heard his prayer, reminds Bart of what he wanted. So Bart goes up to study and his lack of concentration strikes again. The dream sequence reminds me of Bart The Genius, with the colouring and character models here looking very similar. But, he just can't concentrate. Now, I can relate to this, particlarly when doing an essay for homework. I just want to get outside, and hang out with my friends, or at least do something enjoyable, like play Mario Kart Wii online. Maybe I don't panic or have so much trouble before tests, but I can still relate to him. Then, he's quickly back in class(great pacing) and he just wants his results back quickly. Again, relatable. However, I'm not a huge fan of the ending. It's sweet and emotional, but maybe it doesn't work for an early episode. It's better suited to being a series finale imo. Bart's still in the 4th grade 20 years on, and Martin's back to his normal nerdy, unpopular self by the next episode. But in a way, I'm happy it was in Season 2, which in my opinion was the second best year for emotional episodes(behind 7). And, of course, the episode would be nowhere near as good if it was made today.

Now onto the animation. It's not perfect, and the bad colouring on Bart's shirt throughout this episode is pretty damn bad, but it's such a giant step forward from Season 1's animation. It's pretty smooth throughout this episode, but the main high point was the shadow effects, as cinco pointed out, which were seen when Homer and Bart were watching the movie, and when Bart was praying. Some great angles were seen in this too, such as those low angles on Krabappel that Ironman pointed out.

So overall, not one of my favourites, but still a pretty great way to kick of the second season. On the Nixon scale of 1 to 10, I give this episode a 7

[Comicshow MolemanBob]

Bart Gets an F

The first episode of season 2 is very well written. The plot is very simple but flows brilliantly. It is not only funny but it is also heart warming you have to feel for Bart when he is crying because he tried his best in the test. I also liked that, unlike Bart, he actually studied hard when everyone was having fun. I also enjoyed the joke at the end when Bart is extreamly happy with his D- grade.

Score for Bart Get an F: B+, 4.0/5, 8.0/10, Great

[Little Nellie Kelly]

"Bart Gets an F" is fantastic. A completely fantastic episode - I cannot say one thing bad about it.

I love how they chose a Bart episode to open season 2 (due it being the Bartmania era); and man, did they choose well. A great episode through and through, with very high emotional depth and hilarity.

Act one begins without a hitch, with Bart not reading "Treasure Island," and getting detention for not naming Long John Silver right. A neat fact is that I didn't know Long John Silver was the name of the pirate when I first watched it (1993; 4 years old) until nearly 15 years later (2008; 19). It was a little funny that Bart considered saying Long John Silver, but went with Bluebeard (or Blackbeard, I can't remember at this specific moment).

I just want to shoot, maim, stab, torture, and choke pear Sherri and Terri for playing Bart for a sap (although he is very gullible for believing them), which concludes to the best joke of the episode: "This is even worse than Milhouse's test!"

I feel terrible for Bart being told that he would have to be let back (and calling himself dumb); I really was sad, I mean, who wants to hear a ten year old call himself dumb? Homer kills the emotional moment with "And if you don't, at least you'll be bigger than the other kids." I'm not saying that it's not funny (which it is), I'm just saying that they should have let the emotional moment be an emotional moment.

Here comes act two: my favorite act of the entire episode. I like Otto's word of wisdom to Bart:

"I failed the fourth grade - twice. And now I drive the school bus!"

Afterward, he chooses Martin - one of my favorite secondary characters (from season 2-7, that is). I love the pacing with him and Martin - it's funny to see Bart getting whipped by Martin while acting out a test. Then Martin becomes the bad-boy and doesn't care about his deal with Bart or schoolwork anymore. I really resented Martin for that, as I remember trying to get tutoring from a friend (Julie Barter) and she didn't help me as she went to a party with her friends. Not exactly the same, but I can still relate to the stress that Bart was put through.

Then he uses the last resort of a scoundrel: praying to God. I nearly cried at this moment, it was executed pretty damn well. I nearly cried, it was that good. Along with the emotional depth of the scene, I loved the camera angles and shadows of the scene; they were really neat.

Act three comes along, and Marge wakes Bart to see the snow that he prayed for. I didn't like that Bart was going to play in the snow, I believed that he was actually going to do it (and fail his test), but I am glad that Lisa reminded him of his favor with God and he goes and studies.

The scene in the basement made me sad as well. I nearly cried at Bart slapping himself and telling him that he has to study or he'll be left back. I didn't like the Simpsons watching him, but doing nothing; a gun was put on the mantle but it wasn't shot.

The last scene of the episode: Bart fails his test. I was in full tears at this point, I know, but I just couldn't stand it - he studied that hard and he didn't get anything to show for it. I was instantly glad when Bart had gotten extra credit and passed (I got a D-, I passed! I got a D-, I passed!). I was in tears of joy (not tears of sadness that I had a few minutes ago) and then I liked Bart realizing that he had kissed Ms. Krabappel and wipes his tongue in disgust. A great way to end a great episode.

The animation in this episode is terrific (although I know that people will disagree with me on this topic), I love the shadows, the camera angles, all of the colorizations...they were fantastic.

Overall, this episode is one of my favorites - definitely in my top 20. On the Sites scale of 10, with 10 being the highest, 1 being the lowest, and five being average, I rate this episode a 9 - 5/5.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

A very good episode, but slightly overrated. 4.3/5. Rounded to a 4/5 on the poll.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

FANFUCKINGTASTIC!!! 4/5 or 9/10

[Cam23]

This was the second episode of The Simpsons I ever saw(after"Bart The Daredevil"),and it just sealed the deal for me.Almost cinematic in feel,very funny and very touching.Homer's characterisation is great in this episode.I know things change and evolve,but I sometimes wish they had kept it.

[Bleedin' Gums Murphy]

Cam23

Not a big deal or anything mate but in future, can you put down your rating? i.e /5 or /10. Cheers bud.

[Cam23]

Cam23

Not a big deal or anything mate but in future, can you put down your rating? i.e /5 or /10. Cheers bud.

Sorry about that-I tend to be a "all or nothing " kind of guy.

[db105]

Season 2 opens with another classic. It could have had more laughs, but it had enough: Bart hearing his teacher's words as blah-blah-blah when she is scolding him, and then the same happening to Homer; Otto trying to comfort Bart "I also repeated 4th grade and look at me now: I drive the school bus!"; the declaration of independence scene, with Bart trying to memorize it all; the Bart and Martin dynamic... But above all, it was an extremely poignant and touching episode, showing us who Bart is, beyond the little, fun-loving troublemaker. It could even make me feel like crying when Bart got another F after trying so hard "No, you don't understand. I tried this time. I really tried."

Great stuff. I wish the latter seasons could be like this. Rating: A

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Okay, the recent Nostalgia Critic video got me to rewatch this, and I definitely agree with him, changed to a 5/5.

[Jesse Pinkman]

i take it you only agree with him on it being a 5/5, as opposed to you also thinking it is the best episode, @Handsome B. Wonderful?

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Top 5 material.

[Jesse Pinkman]

nice.

haven't watched it in a while but i remember, like nostalgia critic, that i really was able to relate to Bart, and that itself is pretty good for the show

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

i dont no

[CousinMerl]

haven't watched it in a while but i remember, like nostalgia critic, that i really was able to relate to Bart, and that itself is pretty good for the show

Has the NC stated his opinion on the episode elsewhere?; he didn't in the Top 11 Episodes video.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

yea he did

[CousinMerl]

yea he did

When (or where) did he do that?

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

It's his number one choice?

[CousinMerl]

It's his number one choice?

It was not what I meant; I read what Jesse said above about both how both he and the NC relates to Bart in the episode so I assumed the Critic has stated somewhere else that he's a fan of the episode.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Ohh, I think he mentioned it when he talked about the video game.

[Insecthero]

Heh heh. "I'm a private banana who bruises easily!"

Anyway, not a favorite episode of mine, but it certainly makes you think. They did a good job portraying Marge and Homer as loving, well-intentioned parents, who really just lack some important skills and mindsets when it comes to raising their kids. Like Homer feeling really bad for Bart and caving in (thus ruining a chance for Bart to take things more seriously,) and Marge assuming (quite sweetly) that Bart's all tired out from studying hard when, if she'd actually monitored him, she'd know he was just goofing off (man, did that ever hit a little too close to home!) The family portrayal was really sweet, and that's one thing I really miss from the old episodes.

[Dandu386]

I enjoyed how this one sets the tone for season two as it steps away from the primitive characterizations of the Tracy Ulman show/season one and shows a more human dimension, especially with Bart. Bart previously was thought of as a relentless rebel who cracked wise at any situation. This time, we see that Bart has a serious problem with focusing and he attempts to remedy his issue in numerous ways. The emotional episode has some humorous scenes, my favorite being the snow day sequence and Bart's subsequent daydream about the constitutional convention.

[Jimbo77]

6/10 - a weak episode but it's an early one so I'll cut it some slack

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Your rating of this episode gets an F.

[Jesse Pinkman]

if this wasn't an early episode it would get a lower grade?

[Blobulle]

Classic episode. 4/5

[Septimus Singus]

Good start to season 2. 4/5